{"id":631450,"date":"2025-03-04T09:30:32","date_gmt":"2025-03-04T14:30:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=631450"},"modified":"2025-02-24T15:49:04","modified_gmt":"2025-02-24T20:49:04","slug":"does-lamotrigine-cause-weight-gain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/does-lamotrigine-cause-weight-gain\/","title":{"rendered":"Does lamotrigine cause weight gain?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lamotrigine<\/span><\/a> (brand name <\/span>Lamictal)<\/span><\/a> is a prescription anticonvulsant that’s <\/span>FDA approved <\/span><\/a>to treat epilepsy and maintenance treatment of <\/span>bipolar I disorder<\/span><\/a>. <\/span>It may also be prescribed off-label to treat <\/span>schizophrenia<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>trigeminal neuralgia<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>fibromyalgia<\/span><\/a>. Lamotrigine works by stabilizing mood and preventing seizures, making it a vital part of treatment plans for individuals facing these conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Since many <\/span>mental health medications affect your waistline<\/span><\/a>, you may be wondering if there’s a risk of weight gain with lamotrigine. The good news is that lamotrigine is weight-neutral, meaning it typically doesn’t cause significant changes in weight. In fact, if you do experience weight changes on lamotrigine, weight loss is more common than weight gain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can lamotrigine cause weight gain?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Many mood-stabilizing medications and antiepileptic drugs are known to cause weight gain (including belly fat) by increasing your appetite or causing changes in metabolism. Examples include <\/span>Lithobid<\/span><\/a> (lithium<\/span><\/a>) <\/span>valproate<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>valproic acid<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Depakote<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>divalproex sodium<\/span><\/a>), and <\/span>Tegretol<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>carbamazepine<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

“Lamotrigine doesn\u2019t typically have any of these side effects, which is why it might be a preferred choice of mood stabilizer drug for some patients, especially those concerned about weight gain,” says <\/span>Jamie Winn<\/span><\/a>, Pharm.D., a pharmacist based in South Carolina. Dr. Winn explains that lamotrigine <\/span>reduces mood swings and prevents seizures<\/span><\/a> by calming overactive nerves in the brain, controlling the signals that travel between nerve cells, and preventing them from becoming too erratic.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to clinical trials, lamotrigine is largely regarded as weight-neutral. One <\/span>randomized, double-blind study<\/span><\/a> investigated weight changes in patients receiving lamotrigine or divalproex sodium monotherapy. After an 8-week escalation phase and 24-week maintenance phase, the divalproex sodium group experienced significant weight gain, while the lamotrigine group did not.<\/span><\/p>\n

A <\/span>similar study<\/span><\/a> compared changes in body weight in patients taking lamotrigine or lithium for 18 months. While patients in the lithium group experienced weight gain, those in the lamotrigine group did not.<\/span> Additionally, a <\/span>study<\/span><\/a> of patients receiving lamotrigine for bipolar disorder<\/span> f<\/span>ound no changes in weight or BMI after 12 weeks.<\/span><\/p>\n

“While lamotrigine is typically weight-neutral or less likely to cause weight gain compared to other anticonvulsants, individual responses can still differ,” says <\/span>Brian Zachariah, MD<\/span><\/a>, a board-certified psychiatrist with <\/span>Mindpath Health<\/span><\/a>. He says reasons why you might be gaining weight on lamotrigine include:<\/span><\/p>\n